Roy Walker Waters

Roy Walker Waters of Troy, Michigan suddenly passed away, surrounded by family, on August 14, 2024, at the age of 84.
Roy was born on May 13, 1940, in Newark, New Jersey to the late Ernest Wilberforce and Florence Litchfield (Walker) Waters. He grew up in Madison, New Jersey with his younger brother Lawrence Walker. A graduate of Union College (Schenectady, New York) with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Roy later earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Seton Hall University (South Orange, New Jersey). After college he joined the U.S. Forest Service in central California.
From California, Roy joined the U.S. Navy in 1963. He was stationed in San Diego, Hawaii and aboard a destroyer during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1984 as a Commander of the U.S. Navy Reserve.
After active duty, Roy returned to the east coast and went to work for Turner Construction in New York City. He moved with Turner to Detroit in 1975 and continued his engineering career as a project manager/senior construction estimator for 35 years. After retiring from Turner, he worked for J.M. Olson and Beresh Group for several years.
Roy married Gretchen Kathleen Olds, his wife of 46 years, January 7, 1978. Together they had two daughters, Katherine Grace and Elizabeth Anne, and lived in Troy, Michigan.
He was a faithful member of St Stephen's Episcopal Church for over 40 years - organizing the Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Acolytes; serving 3 terms on the Vestry; helping direct Building & Grounds projects; participating in SOS fun-runs and transportation; joining Outreach, Finance and many other church committees.
Community service was a hallmark principle for Roy and he was an avid volunteer in many charities and organizations. He joined the Beverly Hills Lions Club in 2014 and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions Club International for his outstanding dedication to humanitarian service in 2021. His service included 3 years as Club President, 3 years as Club Secretary and 10 years as Chairperson for the Annual Memorial Day Fun Walk/Run.
He devoted many hours to the Catholic Community Response Team (CCRT) Movers and Shakers which gathered and delivered furniture and supplies to families in need. He passed out turkeys at Thanksgiving. He helped with IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at OLHSA. He always worked the polls on election day from dawn until long-after closing. He drove golf carts at Troy Daze transporting folks from the far parking lots to the fair.
He served on the Board of Directors for his subdivision HOA since it was created over 40 years ago – usually as treasurer or president.
Roy was a dedicated 'girl dad', supporting his daughters' interests in sports and music by driving them either to practice or all over the state of Michigan and beyond for competitions. He enthusiastically extended his bleacher seat options when his grandsons ventured into the world of youth sports.
Roy enjoyed travelling with family, friends & NOMADS all over the world and within the U.S. The family vacation to serene Elk Lake in northern Michigan was a favorite for 18 years.
Roy is survived by his wife Gretchen and daughters Katherine and Elizabeth (Brian) Thiel; five grandchildren - Ethan Michael, Tristan Walker, Caleb Waters, Emmett Matthew and Lydia Anne; brother Lawrence (Haidee); niece Meredith (Paul) Rafferty and nephew Scott (Megan).
Roy's life will be remembered on Friday, September 6th at 11 o'clock in the morning at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy, Michigan (visitation prior beginning at 10AM) and with a private military ceremony at Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial Tributes may be made in Roy's honor to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church or Beverly Hills Lions Club.